Mobile system for dispensing medication

ABSTRACT

The subject technology provides at least a system and method for accessing a medication based on near-field communication (NFC). An NFC connection is established between a medical device and NFC circuitry associated with a user separate from the medical device and, based on information obtained from the NFC connection, pairing information for a mobile device to connect to the medical device is determined. A short range wireless connection is automatically established between the medical device and the mobile device associated with the user based on the determined pairing information, and a request for access to a medication provided by the medical device is sent from the mobile device to the medical device via the short range wireless connection.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/530,911, entitled “MOBILE SYSTEM FOR DISPENSINGMEDICATION,” filed Aug. 2, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/716,302, entitled “MOBILESYSTEM FOR DISPENSING MEDICATION,” filed Aug. 8, 2018, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety and made part of thepresent U.S. Utility Patent Application for all purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a medication managementsystem.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an example method of managing medication.

FIGS. 3A-3D are examples of user interfaces that may be employed in amedication management system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example of a computer system that may beimplemented in a medication management system.

In one or more implementations, not all of the depicted components ineach figure may be required, and one or more implementations may includeadditional components not shown in a figure. Variations in thearrangement and type of the components may be made without departingfrom the scope of the subject disclosure. Additional components,different components, or fewer components may be utilized within thescope of the subject disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description ofvarious implementations and is not intended to represent the onlyimplementations in which the subject technology may be practiced. Asthose skilled in the art would realize, the described implementationsmay be modified in various different ways, all without departing fromthe scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings anddescription are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and notrestrictive.

Automated medication dispensing systems can be used to supportdecentralized medication management with various features to enhancesafety and efficiency. By way of example, such systems may helpclinicians accurately dispense medications and may support pharmacyworkflows through use of secure authentication and automated tracking ofmedication inventory and access.

One example of an automated medication dispensing system can employ acomputer coupled locally to a medication dispensing device, such as arefrigerator or dispensing cabinet providing a locked container forstoring a medication. The local computer can provide a user interfacefor nurses or other practitioners to access the medication locked in thedispensing device, as well as provide functionality for communicatingwith a remote server to receive medication orders from the server orprovide dispense information to the server to update a database.However, space constraints may make the implementation of a localcomputer in an automated medication dispensing system impractical, andmoreover, the use of a local computer can lead to inefficient queues incases where multiple nurses need to access the same medicationdispensing device to treat multiple patients in a common facility.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example medicationmanagement system 100. The medication management system 100 includes orotherwise involves medication dispensing devices 120, mobile devices130, electronic medical record (EMR) terminals 140, a server 150, and anetwork 160. Each of the medication dispensing devices 120 can include acontainer configured to hold medication, which can be unlocked orotherwise accessed via local or short range communication with mobiledevices 130. Each of the mobile devices 130 can be configured tocommunicate with a remote server 150 over network 160 to receivemedication order information and/or to send dispense information to theserver 150 to allow the server 150 to update data.

Each of the mobile devices 130 can, for example, be implemented as asmart phone, tablet computer, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch),or any other appropriate portable communication device capable ofrunning an application (e.g., a mobile app) and communicating with themedication dispensing devices 120 via Bluetooth®, near-fieldcommunication (NFC), or other appropriate short range wirelessinterface. In FIG. 1 , a plurality of mobile devices 130 and a pluralityof medication dispensing devices 120 are included in which each mobiledevice 130 is configured to communicate with multiple medicationdispensing devices 120, and likewise each medication dispensing device120 is configured to communicate with multiple medical devices 130. Thismay allow for a flexible framework in which computing devices associatedwith receiving medication orders and/or unlocking the medicationdispensing devices 120 can travel with a nurse or other practitioner,rather than being tied to individual medication dispensing devices 120.This can also, for example, allow a nurse or other practitioner to queuemedication orders in the mobile device 130, without having to queue upat a local terminal to enter the orders. However, while multiplemedication dispensing devices 120 and multiple mobile devices 130 areincluded in the example medication management system 100 and can beconfigured to communicate as described above, other implementations arepossible. For example, in some implementations only one mobile device130 or any other suitable number of mobile devices can be included.Additionally or alternatively, only one medication dispensing device 120or any other suitable number of dispensing devices can be included.Additionally or alternatively, each mobile device 130 can be configuredto communicate with only one or any other suitable subset of medicationdispensing devices 120. Additionally or alternatively, each medicationdispensing device 120 can be configured to communicate with only one orany other suitable subset of the mobile devices 130.

When a particular mobile device 130 and medication dispensing device 120are in sufficiently close proximity to one another, communicationbetween the mobile device 130 and the medication dispensing device 120may be established through the short range wireless interface so thatthe mobile device 130 can provide commands to the medication dispensingdevice 120 to unlock or access medication stored therein. Additionallyor alternatively, the communication can allow the mobile device 130 toobtain medication dispensing or inventory information from themedication dispensing device 120. The use of short range or localcommunication between the mobile device 130 and medication dispensingdevice 120 may enhance security and safety by constraining the mobiledevices 130 to only be capable of unlocking or accessing the medicationdispensing device 120 when in sufficiently close proximity to eachother.

In some implementations, the subject technology enables automaticpairing (e.g., when the short range wireless interface is a Bluetoothinterface) of a particular mobile device 130 to a particular medicationdispensing device 120, facilitated by an NFC link established by NFCcircuitry provided by the particular mobile device 130, or a badgeassociated with a clinician. According to various implementations, boththe mobile device 130 and the medication dispensing device 120 mayinclude NFC circuitry such that when within range of each other aconnection (e.g., an NFC link) is triggered between the two devices. Forexample, communication between the two NFC supported devices can occurwhen the particular mobile device 130 is brought in close proximity(e.g., within NFC range corresponding to no more than 91 centimeters)with the particular medication dispensing device 120, which activatesthe respective NFC circuitry on each device allowing for an automatedestablishment the NFC link. This link is used to quickly provide pairinginformation so that a secondary wireless connection between the devicesmay be automatically established using a peer-to-peer pairing processwithout the need to prompt the clinician to manually select (e.g., froma list) the medication dispensing device, or the need for accesscredentials to complete the pairing process. The link may be used totransmit other parameters related to the particular medicationdispensing device 120. Such other parameters may include, for example,hash information, randomized information, Bluetooth local name, serviceclass identifier, class of device information, etc., that can beutilized as part of an authentication process.

The particular medication dispensing device 120 may include active orpassive NFC circuitry to enable NFC-related communication between thetwo devices, and to transmit the pairing information and/or relatedparameters. When the mobile device 130 includes active NFC circuitry,the mobile device may directly receive the pairing information and/orparameters from the medication dispensing device 120. In someimplementations, the clinician's badge may be used to initiate the NFCcommunication. Passive NFC circuitry in the badge may transmit to themedication dispensing device an identifier of the clinician. Themedication dispensing device may then send the pairing information(including any related parameters) to a centralized server 150 with theidentifier, and the server may push the information to the mobiledevice. In this regard, the mobile device 130 receives the informationand may automatically initiate and complete the secondary wirelessconnection using the received information. The server may also perform acheck on the clinician's authorization to access the medicationdispensing device before providing the information to the mobile device,and/or may provide authentication information to the mobile device whichmay then be passed over the secondary wireless connection to themedication dispensing device for authentication at the medicationdispensing device.

The secondary wireless connection may be a Bluetooth connection. Each ofthe medication dispensing devices 120 may include a Bluetooth low energy(BLE) beacon, or other appropriate wireless transmitter or transceiver,beacon, or interface capable of communicating with the mobile device(s)130. When the NFC connection is established, the medication dispensingdevice 120 may send over the NFC connection, to the mobile device 130,an address (e.g., a MAC address) of the BLE beacon associated with themedication dispensing device 120. The mobile device 130 may then usethis address to automatically connect to the BLE beacon of themedication dispensing device 120, automatically, and to begincommunications. In some implementations, a pairing PIN code may also besent over the NFC connection so that the pairing may be securelyestablished between the two devices, without the need to prompt theclinician to manually confirm the PIN code when the pairing process isinitiated. After completing the authentication process, the particularmobile device 130 and the particular medication dispensing device 120may then be automatically paired, via Bluetooth, based at least in parton the device address of the particular medication dispensing device 120and the other parameters related to the particular medication dispensingdevice 120.

The foregoing solution speeds up the pairing and connection process byestablishing a fast connection between two devices. The NFC linkfacilitates a pairing process (e.g., via Bluetooth) between the twodevices that provides a different communication link (e.g., a Bluetoothconnection) which advantageously provides higher network bandwidth,throughput and/or range capabilities to support more sophisticatedfunctionality than the NFC link.

In some implementations, multiple medication dispensing devices 120 maybe linked, and each dispensing device may be configured to, receive arequest or order for a medication, and locate the medication in anotherlinked device. In this regard, the particular mobile device 120 ofclinician may automatically connect to one medication dispensing device120 to enter an order for one or more medications, irrespective of wherethose medications may be stored, and without the need to queue up withother clinicians at a single terminal. In some implementations, thepairing process at a particular medication dispensing device 120 mayprevent, or lock out, other clinicians from pairing to or accessingmedication in the device while the particular mobile device 130 of theclinician is paired to the particular medication dispensing device 120.In some implementations, the particular medication dispensing device 120may be configured for multiple pairings, but may restrict access tomedication in a single device based on a software queue.

For example, multiple clinicians may connect to a first medicationdispensing device 120 using the previously-described wireless pairingprocess, and enter orders simultaneously for various medications. Afirst and second requested medication may be available at the firstmedication dispensing device, while a third requested medication isavailable at a second medication dispensing device. The system mayrequire a second clinician who placed an order for the second requestedmedication to wait for a first clinician who placed an order for thefirst requested medication to retrieve the first requested medicationbefore the second clinician is provided access to the first medicationdispensing device. However, a third clinician may be able to place anorder for the third medication and the second medication dispensingdevice while the others access the first medication dispensing device.

Each mobile device 130 can, for example, employ secure authenticationsuch as biometric authentication, passcode authentication, and/or othercredentials to avoid unauthorized access, for example, by somebody otherthan an authorized nurse or other practitioner in possession of themobile device 130. Some examples of biometric authentication includefingerprint authentication, facial recognition, and iris authentication.Some examples of passcode authentication include pincodes, passwords,and other knowledge based authentication factors. As describedpreviously, this information may be passed by the NFC link, or over theBluetooth connection during the pairing process to authenticate theclinician to the respective medication dispensing device 120.

Each medication dispensing device 120 may, for example, be implementedas a refrigerator, automated dispensing cabinet, or a combinationthereof, which contains one or more containers configured to store amedication therein. The dispensing device(s) 120 may also, for example,include a locking mechanism or other appropriate access controlmechanism for allowing access to the container or dispensing of themedication only when appropriate commands are received from the mobiledevices 130 via the beacon or other local communication interface.

The mobile device(s) 130 can each also include a network interface forcommunicating with a remote server 150 over a network 160, such as theinternet or another appropriate data network. The mobile device(s) 130can include an application or other appropriate programming thatconfigures the mobile device(s) 130 to receive medication orderinformation from the server 150 associated with medications to beaccessed from the dispensing devices 120. Additionally or alternatively,the mobile device(s) 130 can be configured to provide commands to themedication dispensing device(s) 120 to unlock a container to access amedication stored therein. Additionally or alternatively, the mobiledevice(s) 130 can be configured to provide medication dispensinginformation to the server 150, in which the medication dispensinginformation is associated with medication dispensing event(s) involvingthe medication dispensing device 120.

The mobile device(s) 130 can, for example, include one or more inputdevices and/or output devices, which can provide a user interface forreceiving inputs from a user and/or providing outputs to a userassociated with medication. For example, the user interface can output anotification upon receipt of a new medication order from the server 150(e.g., a push notification), and/or the user interface provide for inputto select particular patients or medication, or to initiate unlocking oraccess of a container in the medication dispensing device 120. Examplesof input devices include touchscreens, touchpads, microphones, buttons,and any other devices that allow for interaction from a user to inputinformation or provide commands through the mobile device. Examples ofoutput devices include display, speakers, haptic vibrations, and otherappropriate devices that allow for interaction with a user tocommunicate information to the user Examples of user interfaces that canbe provided in the mobile devices 130 are shown in FIGS. 3A-3D below.

The server 150 may, for example, be implemented as a physical and/orcloud based server operated on one or several computing devices that cancoordinate with the mobile devices 130 to provide medication orderinformation and/or receive medication dispensing information.Additionally or alternatively, the server 150 can coordinate with EMRterminals 140 other appropriate devices to receive medication ordersfrom a doctor or other medical practitioner capable of prescribingmedications. The server 150 can be configured to receive a medicationorder input into a patient's EMR or other electronic record through theEMR terminal(s) 140, and coordinate with an application running on themobile devices 130 to provide the medication order information to theappropriate nurses or practitioners. Additionally or alternatively, theserver 150 can be configured to update or maintain a pharmacyinformation system (PIS) or other medication related data based ondispense information received from the mobile devices 130.

FIG. 2 is flow diagram illustrating an example method 200 for medicationmanagement. The method 200 may, for example, be implemented using themedication management system 100 shown in FIG. 1 . FIGS. 3A-3D areexamples of user interfaces 300 a-300 d that may, for example, beimplemented in a mobile device in connection with the method 200.

As shown in FIG. 2 , at 262, a new medication order can be generated atan EMR terminal 140 based on a doctor or other appropriate medicalprofessional (e.g., an MD) ordering medication for a patient in an EMRor other appropriate electronic record. The medication order can includeinformation identifying a medication (or drug) to be provided to aparticular patient. At 264, the EMR terminal 140 sends the medicationorder otherwise sends information regarding the medication order toserver 150 over a network (e.g., network 160).

At 266, the server 150 receives the medication order or otherwisereceives information regarding medication order. At 268, the server 150sends the medication order or otherwise sends information regarding themedication order to a mobile device 130 over a network, e.g., through amobile application running on the mobile device.

At 272, the mobile device receives a notification of the new medicalorder from the server 150. At this stage, the mobile device 130, can,for example, present a notification (e.g., a push notification) of thenew medication order through a user interface, such as is shown in theexample display interface 300 a shown in FIG. 3A. Alternatively, thenotification need not be presented, and the user can simply see themedication order information when the user chooses to open or otherwiseaccess the application on the mobile device 130.

At 274, upon a user (e.g., a nurse or practitioner) accessing theapplication, the mobile device 130 can present all available medicationorders, or patients having outstanding medication orders, or otherwisepresent information regarding the same through an appropriate userinterface. An example of a display interface 300 b showing a listing ofseveral patients having corresponding medication orders is shown in FIG.3B. The user interface can also provide for the user to select thedesired patient and/or medication for a patient, e.g., through userinput to an appropriate input device. Examples of display interfaces 300b and 300 c showing selection of a patient, and medications for aparticular patient, are shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C respectively.

At 276, the mobile device 130 selects a medication corresponding to themedication order based on received user input. For example, themedication may be selected upon the user selecting the appropriatepatients and their appropriate medication(s), and selecting “dispense”as shown in the display interface 300 c in FIG. 3C. Upon selection ofthe medication, the mobile device 130 can automatically connect, asdescribed above, to a medication dispensing device 120 withinsufficiently close proximity to the mobile device 130, and communicatethe selection to the medication dispensing device 120 or otherwisecommunicate an indication of the medication order, and send a command orotherwise initiate dispensing of the medication from the medicationdispensing device 120. Although not shown in FIG. 2 , as describedabove, the mobile device 130 can establish a connection to anappropriate medication dispensing device 120, e.g., via a Bluetoothpairing, before or after the medication order is received or selected.If the connected medication dispensing device does not currently storethe requested medication corresponding to the medication order then theconnected medication dispensing device may inform the mobile device (andthe clinician) of the location of another medication dispensing devicewhere the medication can be retrieved.

At 278, the medication dispensing device 120 (identified as containingthe medication) unlocks an appropriate container containing themedication corresponding to the medication order, or otherwise dispensesthe medication housed within the medication dispensing device 120. Themedication dispensing device 120 may be configured to only unlock thecontainer or otherwise dispense the medication when the mobile device130 is identified as being within a range of or paired with themedication dispensing device 120 (e.g., as described above), and theclinician appropriately authenticated to the device. The dispense device120 can be configured to unlock the container or otherwise dispense themedication upon receipt of a command or other appropriate communicationfrom the mobile device 130 over the short range wireless interface. Ifthe medication dispensing device 120 contains multiple containers orcompartments corresponding to multiple medications, the medicationdispensing device 120 can, for example, be configured to unlock only thecontainer or containers containing the selected medication ormedications corresponding to the medication order.

At 284, the mobile device 130 can close the medication dispensingtransaction, for example, based on confirmation or other user input fromthe user. An example of a display interface 300 d providing for a userto close the transaction after the desired medication is retrieved isshown in FIG. 3D.

At 282, after unlocking the container the medication dispensing device120 locks the container from which the medication was dispensed andretrieved by the user. The container can, for example, lock upon themobile device 130 closing the transaction and sending a command or othercommunication to the medication dispensing device 120 indicating thatthe dispense transaction has been completed. Additionally oralternatively, the container can lock again automatically, e.g., after afixed period of time for security.

At 286, the mobile device 130 sends dispense information to the server150 over the network. The dispense information can, for example, be sentupon closing the transaction (e.g., upon a nurse selecting “yes” in thedisplay interface 300 d shown in FIG. 3D). The dispense information can,for example, include an amount and/or type of medication dispensed, atime of the dispense event, or other information associated with themedication dispense event. The dispense information can, for example, bebased on monitoring performed automatically by the medication dispensingdevice 120.

At 288, the server 150 receives the dispense information from the mobiledevice 130. At 292, the server 150 updates a pharmacy information system(PIS) included in or otherwise coupled to the server 150, based on thedispense information associated with the dispense event.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example computer system 400with which any one or more of the mobile device(s) 130, the EMRterminal(s) 140, or the server(s) 150 may be implemented.

Computer system 400 includes a bus 408 or other communication mechanismfor communicating information, and a processor 402 coupled with bus 408for processing information. By way of example, the computer system 400may be implemented with one or more processors 402. Processor 402 may bea general-purpose microprocessor, a micro control module, a DigitalSignal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit(ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a Programmable LogicDevice (PLD), a control module, a state machine, gated logic, discretehardware components, or any other suitable entity that can performcalculations or other manipulations of information.

Computer system 400 can include, in addition to hardware, a code thatcreates an execution environment for the computer program in question,e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, adatabase management system, an operating system, or a combination of oneor more of them stored in an included memory 404, such as a RandomAccess Memory (RAM), a flash memory, a Read Only Memory (ROM), aProgrammable Read-Only Memory (PROM), an Erasable PROM (EPROM),registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, or any othersuitable storage device, coupled to bus 408 for storing information andinstructions to be executed by processor 402. The processor 402 and thememory 404 can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, a special purposelogic circuitry.

The instructions may be stored in the memory 404 and implemented in oneor more computer program products, i.e., one or more modules of computerprogram instructions encoded on a computer readable medium for executionby, or to control the operation of, the computer system 400, andaccording to any method well known to those skilled in the art,including, but not limited to, computer languages such as data-orientedlanguages (e.g., SQL, dBase), system languages (e.g., C, Objective-C,C++, Assembly), architectural languages (e.g., Java, NET), andapplication languages (e.g., PHP, Ruby, Perl, Python). Instructions mayalso be implemented in computer languages such as array languages,aspect-oriented languages, assembly languages, authoring languages,command line interface languages, compiled languages, concurrentlanguages, curly-bracket languages, dataflow languages, data-structuredlanguages, declarative languages, esoteric languages, extensionlanguages, fourth-generation languages, functional languages,interactive mode languages, interpreted languages, iterative languages,list-based languages, little languages, logic-based languages, machinelanguages, macro languages, metaprogramming languages, multiparadigmlanguages, numerical analysis, non-English-based languages,object-oriented class-based languages, object-oriented prototype-basedlanguages, off-side rule languages, procedural languages, reflectivelanguages, rule-based languages, scripting languages, stack-basedlanguages, synchronous languages, syntax handling languages, visuallanguages, wirth languages, and xml-based languages. Memory 404 may alsobe used for storing temporary variable or other intermediate informationduring execution of instructions to be executed by processor 402.

A computer program as discussed herein does not necessarily correspondto a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of afile that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts storedin a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to theprogram in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files thatstore one or more modules, subprograms, or portions of code). A computerprogram can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiplecomputers that are located at one site or distributed across multiplesites and interconnected by a communication network. The processes andlogic flows described in this specification can be performed by one ormore programmable processors executing one or more computer programs toperform functions by operating on input data and generating output.

Computer system 400 further includes a data storage device 406, such asa magnetic disk or optical disk, coupled to bus 408 for storinginformation and instructions. Computer system 400 may be coupled viainput/output module 410 to various devices. Input/output module 410 canbe any input/output module. Exemplary input/output modules 410 includedata ports such as USB ports. Input/output module 410 is configured toconnect to a communications module 412. Exemplary communications modules412 include networking interface cards, such as Ethernet cards andmodems. In certain aspects, input/output module 410 is configured toconnect to a plurality of devices, such as an input device 414 and/or anoutput device 416. Examples of input devices 414 include a keyboard anda pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which a user canprovide input to the computer system 400. Other kinds of input devices414 can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well, such asa tactile input device, visual input device, audio input device, orbrain-computer interface device. For example, feedback provided to theuser can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback,auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can bereceived in any form, including acoustic, speech, tactile, or brain waveinput. Examples of output devices 416 include display devices, such asan LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, for displaying information tothe user.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, method 200 or anyportion thereof can be implemented using a computer system 400 inresponse to processor 402 executing one or more sequences of one or moreinstructions contained in memory 404. Such instructions may be read intomemory 404 from another machine-readable medium, such as data storagedevice 406. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in mainmemory 404 causes processor 402 to perform the process steps describedherein. One or more processors in a multi-processing arrangement mayalso be employed to execute the sequences of instructions contained inmemory 404. In alternative aspects, hard-wired circuitry may be used inplace of or in combination with software instructions to implementvarious aspects of the present disclosure. Thus, aspects of the presentdisclosure are not limited to any specific combination of hardwarecircuitry and software.

Various aspects of the subject matter described in this specificationcan be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-endcomponent, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middlewarecomponent, e.g., an application server, or that includes a front-endcomponent, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface ora Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementationof the subject matter described in this specification, or anycombination of one or more such back-end, middleware, or front-endcomponents. The components of the system can be interconnected by anyform or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communicationnetwork. The communication network (e.g., network 160) can include, forexample, any one or more of a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, and the like.Further, the communication network can include, but is not limited to,for example, any one or more of the following network topologies,including a bus network, a star network, a ring network, a mesh network,a star-bus network, tree or hierarchical network, or the like. Thecommunications modules can be, for example, moderns or Ethernet cards.

Computer system 400 can include clients and servers. Any one or more ofthe mobile devices 130 and/or EMR terminals 140 can, for example, beconfigured as a client to the server 150. A client and server aregenerally remote from each other and typically interact through acommunication network. The relationship of client and server arises byvirtue of computer programs running on the respective computers andhaving a client-server relationship with each other. Computer system 400can be, for example, and without limitation, a desktop computer, laptopcomputer, or tablet computer. Computer system 400 can also be embeddedin another device, for example, and without limitation, a mobiletelephone, a PDA, a mobile audio player, a Global Positioning System(GPS) receiver, a video game console, and/or a television set top box.

The term “machine-readable storage medium” or “computer readable medium”as used herein refers to any medium or media that participates inproviding instructions to processor 402 for execution. Such a medium maytake many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media,volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, forexample, optical or magnetic disks, such as data storage device 406.Volatile media include dynamic memory, such as memory 404. Transmissionmedia include coaxial cables, copper wire, and fiber optics, includingthe wires that include bus 408. Common forms of machine-readable mediainclude, for example, floppy disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetictape, any other magnetic medium, CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium,punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns ofholes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH EPROM, any other memory chip orcartridge, or any other medium from which a computer can read. Themachine-readable storage medium can be a machine-readable storagedevice, a machine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, acomposition of matter affecting a machine-readable propagated signal, ora combination of one or more of them. The computer readable medium canbe non-transitory.

A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean oneand only one unless specifically so stated, but rather one or more. Forexample, “a” module may refer to one or more modules. An elementproceeded by “a,” “an,” “the,” or “said” does not, without furtherconstraints, preclude the existence of additional same elements.

Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and donot limit the invention. The word exemplary is used to mean serving asan example or illustration. To the extent that the term include, have,or the like is used, such term is intended to be inclusive in a mannersimilar to the term comprise as comprise is interpreted when employed asa transitional word in a claim. Relational terms such as first andsecond and the like may be used to distinguish one entity or action fromanother without necessarily requiring or implying any actual suchrelationship or order between such entities or actions.

Phrases such as an aspect, the aspect, another aspect, some aspects, oneor more aspects, an implementation, the implementation, anotherimplementation, some implementations, one or more implementations, anembodiment, the embodiment, another embodiment, some embodiments, one ormore embodiments, a configuration, the configuration, anotherconfiguration, some configurations, one or more configurations, thesubject technology, the disclosure, the present disclosure, othervariations thereof and alike are for convenience and do not imply that adisclosure relating to such phrase(s) is essential to the subjecttechnology or that such disclosure applies to all configurations of thesubject technology. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may apply toall configurations, or one or more configurations. A disclosure relatingto such phrase(s) may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as anaspect or some aspects may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa,and this applies similarly to other foregoing phrases.

A phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the terms“and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as awhole, rather than each member of the list. The phrase “at least one of”does not require selection of at least one item; rather, the phraseallows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items,and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least oneof each of the items. By way of example, each of the phrases “at leastone of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” refers to only A,only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least oneof each of A, B, and C.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps,operations, or processes disclosed is an illustration of exemplaryapproaches. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is understood thatthe specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations, or processes maybe performed in different order. Some of the steps, operations, orprocesses may be performed simultaneously. The accompanying methodclaims, if any, present elements of the various steps, operations orprocesses in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to thespecific order or hierarchy presented. These may be performed in serial,lineally, in parallel or in different order. It should be understoodthat the described instructions, operations, and systems can generallybe integrated together in a single software/hardware product or packagedinto multiple software/hardware products.

The disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art topractice the various aspects described herein. In some instances,well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form inorder to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology. Thedisclosure provides various examples of the subject technology, and thesubject technology is not limited to these examples. Variousmodifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the principles described herein may be applied to otheraspects.

All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the variousaspects described throughout the disclosure that are known or later cometo be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expresslyincorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed bythe claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to bededicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure isexplicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construedunder the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) or § 112, sixth paragraph,unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or,in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase“step for”.

The title, background, brief description of the drawings, abstract, anddrawings are hereby incorporated into the disclosure and are provided asillustrative examples of the disclosure, not as restrictivedescriptions. It is submitted with the understanding that they will notbe used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in thedetailed description, it can be seen that the description providesillustrative examples and the various features are grouped together invarious implementations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.The method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed subject matter requires more features thanare expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the claims reflect,inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a singledisclosed configuration or operation. The claims are hereby incorporatedinto the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as aseparately claimed subject matter.

The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects describedherein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with thelanguage of the claims and to encompass all legal equivalents.Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subjectmatter that fails to satisfy the requirements of the applicable patentlaw, nor should they be interpreted in such a way.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of accessing a medication, the methodcomprising: establishing a near-field communication (NFC) connectionbetween a medical device and NFC circuitry associated with a userseparate from the medical device; determining, based on informationobtained from the NFC connection, pairing information for a mobiledevice to connect to the medical device; automatically establishing ashort range wireless connection between the medical device and themobile device associated with the user based on the determined pairinginformation; and sending, from the mobile device to the medical devicevia the short range wireless connection, a request for access to amedication provided by the medical device.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein an identifier of the user is communicated to the medical devicevia the NFC connection, the method further comprising: receiving, at themobile device based on the NFC connection and the identifier provided tothe medical device, the pairing information from a server remote fromthe mobile device and the medical device; and sending the pairinginformation from the mobile device to medical device to establish theshort range wireless connection.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving, from the medical device, based on the request, alocation of another medical device that currently provides themedication.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: receiving, viaa user interface operating on the mobile device, a plurality of ordersfor different medications, including the medication; determining a firstmedication of the different medications is provided by a first medicaldevice, a second medication of the different medications is provided bya second medical device; and causing the user interface to displayrespective locations of the first medical device and the second medicaldevice.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical device is amedication dispenser having a plurality of lockable containers, themethod further comprising: authorizing the user to receive themedication for a patient; and unlocking only a container of theplurality of locking containers that stores the medication based on therequest for access and the authorizing.
 6. The method of claim 5,further comprising: sending, from the mobile device to the medicaldevice via the short range wireless connection, biometric authenticationinformation, wherein the authorizing is based on the biometricauthentication information.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein themedical device is a medication dispenser having a plurality of lockablecontainers, further comprising: receiving, at the mobile device from aserver, a list of available medication orders for one or more patientsassociated with the user; receiving, via a user interface operating onthe mobile device, a selection of a patient of the one or more patientsor of a medication order corresponding to the medication; andcommunicating the selection to the medication dispenser.
 8. The methodof claim 7, further comprising: receiving, at the mobile device from theserver, a notification for a new medication order for a patientassociated with the user.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the medicaldevice is a medication dispenser having a plurality of lockablecontainers, and the NFC circuitry is included in a badge associated withthe user.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical device is amedication dispenser having a plurality of lockable containers, and theNFC circuitry is included in the mobile device.
 11. A medicationdispensing system, comprising: a medication dispensing device comprisinga plurality of lockable containers; and non-transitory computer-readablemedium storing instructions that, when executed, facilitatecommunication between the medication dispensing device and a serverremote from the medication dispensing device, wherein the medicationdispensing device is configured to: establish a near-field communication(NFC) connection between the medication dispensing device and NFCcircuitry associated with a user separate from the medication dispensingdevice; determine, based on information obtained from the NFCconnection, pairing information for a mobile device to connect to themedication dispensing device; automatically establish a short rangewireless connection between the medication dispensing device and themobile device based on the determined pairing information; and receive,from the mobile device via the short range wireless connection, arequest for access to a medication provided by the medication dispensingdevice.
 12. The medication dispensing system of claim 11, wherein anidentifier of the user is received by the medication dispensing devicevia the NFC connection, the medication dispensing device being furtherconfigured to: send, based on the NFC connection, the identifier to theserver for generation of the pairing information by the server; andreceive, after sending the identifier to the server, the pairinginformation from the mobile device to establish the short range wirelessconnection.
 13. The medication dispensing system of claim 11, whereinthe medication dispensing device is further configured to, based on therequest: determine that the medication is not currently provided by themedication dispensing device; and determine a location of anothermedical device that currently provides the medication; and send thedetermined location to the mobile device for display by the mobiledevice.
 14. The medication dispensing system of claim 13, whereininstructions, when executed: cause a user interface operating on themobile device to display a plurality of orders for differentmedications, including the medication; determine a first medication ofthe different medications is provided by a first medical device, asecond medication of the different medications is provided by a secondmedical device; and cause the user interface to display respectivelocations of the first medical device and the second medical device. 15.The medication dispensing system of claim 11, wherein the medicationdispensing device is further configured to: authorize the user toreceive the medication for a patient; and unlock only a container of theplurality of locking containers that stores the medication based on therequest for access and the authorizing.
 16. The medication dispensingsystem of claim 15, wherein the medication dispensing device is furtherconfigured to: receive, from the mobile device via the short rangewireless connection, biometric authentication information, wherein theauthorizing is based on the biometric authentication information. 17.The medication dispensing system of claim 11, wherein instructions, whenexecuted: cause, via the server, the mobile device to display a list ofavailable medication orders for one or more patients associated with theuser associated with the mobile device; receive, via a user interfaceoperating on the mobile device, a selection of a patient of the one ormore patients or of a medication order corresponding to the medication;and communicate the selection to the medication dispensing device. 18.The medication dispensing system of claim 17, wherein instructions, whenexecuted: cause, via the server, the mobile device to display anotification for a new medication order for a patient associated withthe user associated with the mobile device.
 19. The medicationdispensing system of claim 11, wherein the medication dispensing devicebeing configured to establish a NFC connection between the medicationdispensing device and NFC circuitry comprises the medication dispensingdevice being configured to establish a NFC connection between themedication dispensing device and a badge associated with the user. 20.The medication dispensing system of claim 11, wherein the mobile devicecomprises the NFC circuitry.
 21. A non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or moreprocessors, cause one or more processors to perform a method,comprising: establishing a near-field communication (NFC) connectionbetween a medical device and NFC circuitry associated with a userseparate from the medical device; determining, based on informationobtained from the NFC connection, pairing information for a mobiledevice to connect to the medical device; automatically establishing ashort range wireless connection between the medical device and themobile device associated with the user based on the determined pairinginformation; and sending, from the mobile device to the medical devicevia the short range wireless connection, a request for access to amedication provided by the medical device.
 22. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 21, wherein an identifier ofthe user is communicated to the medical device via the NFC connection,the method further comprising: receiving, at the mobile device based onthe NFC connection and the identifier provided to the medical device,the pairing information from a server remote from the mobile device andthe medical device; and sending the pairing information from the mobiledevice to medical device to establish the short range wirelessconnection.
 23. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 21, the method further comprising: receiving, from the medicaldevice, based on the request, a location of another medical device thatcurrently provides the medication.
 24. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 23, the method furthercomprising: receiving, via a user interface operating on the mobiledevice, a plurality of orders for different medications, including themedication; determining a first medication of the different medicationsis provided by a first medical device, a second medication of thedifferent medications is provided by a second medical device; andcausing the user interface to display respective locations of the firstmedical device and the second medical device.
 25. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 21, wherein the medical deviceis a medication dispenser having a plurality of lockable containers, themethod further comprising: authorizing the user to receive themedication for a patient; and unlocking only a container of theplurality of locking containers that stores the medication based on therequest for access and the authorizing.
 26. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 25, the method furthercomprising: sending, from the mobile device to the medical device viathe short range wireless connection, biometric authenticationinformation, wherein the authorizing is based on the biometricauthentication information.
 27. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 21, wherein the medical device is a medicationdispenser having a plurality of lockable containers, the method furthercomprising: receiving, at the mobile device from a server, a list ofavailable medication orders for one or more patients associated with theuser; receiving, via a user interface operating on the mobile device, aselection of a patient of the one or more patients or of a medicationorder corresponding to the medication; and communicating the selectionto the medication dispenser.
 28. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 27, the method further comprising: receiving, atthe mobile device from the server, a notification for a new medicationorder for a patient associated with the user.
 29. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 21, wherein the medical deviceis a medication dispenser having a plurality of lockable containers, andthe NFC circuitry is included in a badge associated with the user. 30.The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 21, whereinthe medical device is a medication dispenser having a plurality oflockable containers, and the NFC circuitry is included in the mobiledevice.